BHP Billiton expects to recognise an impairment charge of approximately US$2 billion post-tax (or approximately US$2.8 billion pre-tax) against the carrying value of its Onshore US assets as an exceptional item in the 2015 financial year results.

Sir John Buchanan served as a Non-Executive Director of BHP Billiton from 2003 up until the time of his death on 13 July 2015 at the age of 72. He was the Senior Independent Director of BHP Billiton Plc and, for many years, the Chairman of the Remuneration Committee.

​It is with profound sadness that the Board of BHP Billiton advises of the passing of Sir John Buchanan yesterday. Sir John served as a Non-Executive Director of BHP Billiton from 2003 up until the time of his death, and was the Senior Independent Director of BHP Billiton Plc.

BHP Billiton advises that following completion of the demerger of South32, the sale of the South32 Shares attributable to Selling Shareholders (being Small Shareholders who elected to participate in the Sale Facility) and Ineligible Overseas Shareholders, as detailed in section 7.12 of the Shareholder Circular dated 16 March 2015, has been completed.